Tag: Premier League

Bournemouth coach Iraola rules Adams out for another game

It will be the fourth straight match Adams has missed with a back injury

Tyler Adams looks set to miss a fourth consecutive match due to back spasms, according to Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola.

Adams has been held out of three straight matches due to back trouble, and Sunday’s trip to Aston Villa appears to be too soon for the U.S. men’s national team midfielder.

Iraola gave updates on several injured Cherries players at his pre-match press conference on Friday, but did not specifically mention Adams among that group.

The coach was then asked about the remainder of his injured players, to which he replied: “Some are getting closer but I don’t expect them for the Villa game, no.”

The back injury is turning into an increasingly frustrating setback for Adams, who only returned from nearly a year out last month.

Adams was sidelined after a hamstring surgery in March 2023, and had to have a second operation after suffering a setback upon his return in September.

The 25-year-old’s start against Everton on March 30 marked his first time playing a full match in over a year.

Overall, Adams has made just three appearances for Bournemouth this season. He made an emphatic return to the USMNT in the Nations League last month, scoring a memorable long-range strike against Mexico in the final.

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Richards: Crystal Palace boss Glasner sees me as center back

The USMNT defender is happy to be back in his natural position after a spell at defensive midfield

Chris Richards is back playing his natural position, and he looks set to stay there for the foreseeable future.

Richards has played center back his entire career, but started in defensive midfield for a stretch of Premier League matches earlier in the season.

But under new Crystal Palace head coach Oliver Glasner, the U.S. international has returned to his natural position, starting four straight games at center back under the Austrian before suffering an injury last month.

Speaking to Palace’s website, Richards said he was happy to return to center back after being shifted around earlier in the season under Roy Hodgson.

“Centre of defense, preferably,” Richards said of his ideal position. “It was a lot of learning this year, playing right back, center back, center mid.

“[It was] a lot of positions that I’m not quite used to, but again, like I said, I’ll do whatever to be on the pitch and help us win. I think it’s been good to play in different positions because you learn a lot.

“We played against [Glasner’s] teams in Germany, so I think he remembers what my best position was.

“But coming in, we did have a small conversation, and he just kind of said that for the future he sees me playing center back. All the games I played for him have been at center back.”

Richards provides injury update

The USMNT defender has now missed three straight games with what he revealed to be a knee injury.

Speaking before last weekend’s match at Liverpool, the 24-year-old said he was targeting this Sunday’s game against West Ham for a potential return.

“I think frustrating would be a good word for it,” Richards said.

“I feel like I worked hard over the last two seasons that I’ve been here and I think I was finally reaping the benefit of that. It’s always nice playing games.

“I have a knee injury. Hopefully, what we’re aiming for is West Ham. I’m just kind of taking it day by day, hoping that it continues to heal and that’s what I’m aiming for, at least, is the West Ham game.”

Prior to his injury, Richards had gone the distance in 16 consecutive Premier League matches.

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Lalas: Nottingham Forest decided long ago it can’t count on Reyna

The USMNT star made his first start for Forest over the weekend

Gio Reyna may have finally made a start for Nottingham Forest, but that doesn’t mean the club believes it can count on him.

That is the opinion of Alexi Lalas, who spoke about the U.S. men’s national team midfielder’s dire club situation on the latest episode of his State of the Union podcast.

Reyna finally made his first Premier League start over the weekend, notching an assist from a corner kick as Forest drew Wolves 2-2 in a vital match.

It took the American nearly three months of his loan from Borussia Dortmund to get his first start, having played a total of just 90 minutes for Forest prior to Saturday’s match.

Though Reyna has finally made a breakthrough, Forest now has just five matches remaining this season. As a disappointing loan stint gets set to conclude, Lalas didn’t mince words about the USMNT star’s situation.

“You don’t need me to tell you that Gio starting, and Gio playing after what has been an absolutely abysmal time in terms of this loan to Forest is a good thing. Yes it’s a good thing. Does it change who Gio is as a player? No. Does it change how Forest in general look at him going forward? No,” Lalas said.

“I think they have gotten plenty of looks at what Gio is. And I think they have made the determination long ago that this is not somebody for the long haul. Not somebody they want to count on.”

Forest will face Everton on Sunday in a crucial relegation six-pointer. Reyna’s side enters the match one point and one place above the drop zone, with Everton just one point and one place above Forest.

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Chelsea won 6-0 and still embarrassed itself

Chelsea showed how it has fallen so far even while securing its largest win of the season

It’s been another tough season for Chelsea, but Monday’s 6-0 win over Everton was a cathartic moment of celebration for the former Premier League powerhouse.

Well, at least it should have been.

While Cole Palmer stole the headlines with a four-goal display, his final goal was also a major talking point — and not in a good way for Chelsea.

Already up 4-0, Chelsea won a second-half penalty kick. Palmer, the team’s usual penalty taker, went to grab the ball but was engulfed in an intra-team squabble involving Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke.

Madueke grabbed the ball initially before it was forcefully removed by captain Conor Gallagher and given to Palmer. For some reason, Jackson decided to use that moment to try and snag the ball himself before he was shoved away by Palmer.

Not a great look!

Palmer would convert to make it 5-0, with Madueke forcing Jackson to go over and celebrate with the team following the goal.

With the made penalty, Palmer moved to a perfect nine-for-nine from the spot this season.

Naturally, head coach Mauricio Pochettino was furious after the game.

“The players and staff know that Cole Palmer is the penalty taker,” Pochettino said. “I am so, so upset about the situation. Discipline is the most important thing in our team.

“We all agree they [Jackson and Madueke] were wrong. They are not experienced players. They are young. It was very good the reaction by Conor Gallagher [to defuse things].”

“We can’t show that type of behavior,” he continued. “It’s like we are in a school, and our job is to show them they were wrong so they can learn. There will be no punishment, but this can’t happen again. If Palmer is on the pitch, he is the penalty taker.”

Even with the win, Chelsea only moved up to ninth place in the Premier League table. Once a formidable European force, Chelsea managed to demonstrate how it has fallen so far even while securing its largest win of the season.

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Premier League 2023-24 top scorers: Tracking the Golden Boot race

Can anybody stop Erling Haaland from winning again?

The 2023-24 Premier League Golden Boot may be Erling Haaland’s to lose.

The Manchester City striker set a single-season Premier League goals record last season with 36, clinching the prize in his first English top-flight season.

The Norwegian’s closest challenger was Harry Kane with 30 goals, but the England striker has now moved to Bayern Munich. Ivan Toney was in third place with 20 goals, but the Brentford star is suspended for the first half of the season due to gambling.

Can anybody step up to challenge Haaland’s dominance this season? We are tracking all of the Premier League’s top scorers for the 2023-24 season right here.

All stats updated as of April 15

Buck: Lining up with players like Mainoo is why I picked England

Buck and Mainoo started together with England’s U-19s last fall

Noel Buck has said the chance to play alongside the likes of Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo is why he’s committed his international future to England.

The New England Revolution midfielder has been involved with the U.S. at the youth level, but accepted a call-up from England’s U-19 side last fall and has made eight appearances for the Young Lions.

Buck is now provisionally cap-tied to England, meaning he would now need to file a one-time change of association to play for another country.

In an interview with The Athletic, Buck said that England made a strong push for him and that he’s happy with where he is for the time being.

“I’m in a good spot with England now, we’ll see what the future holds,” he said.

Buck was born and raised in the U.S. but is eligible for England and Wales through his father. The 19-year-old said that the quality of players at England’s disposal is one of the main reasons he’s cast his lot with the Three Lions for now.

“Each time I go with England, I learn a couple of new things, meet new people and get better experiences,” Buck said. “They’re all fantastic players — especially Kobbie. The fact he’s playing right now for England (seniors) is unreal to think about.

“It’s why I wanted to play for England: you get to play with these types of players and I’ll include (Leeds United’s) Archie Gray in that, fantastic player, and Jack Hinshelwood at Brighton. Quality.

“What Kobbie’s success does is also highlight the pathway and how quickly things can change.”

Mainoo, 18, has enjoyed a breakthrough season with Manchester United that has seen him go from starting alongside Buck with England’s U-19s to making his senior debut last month.

Buck isn’t shy about his desire to one day play in the same league as Mainoo, but added that his focus for now is on the Revs.

“I’ve always wanted to go and play in England,” Buck said. “That’s always been a dream — whether it’s in the Premier League or the Championship — but at the moment I’m focused on my football here.”

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JJ and Kealia Watt will both play for Burnley in TST 2024

Burnley’s high-profile co-owners are ready to test themselves on the field.

Burnley’s high-profile co-owners are ready to test themselves on the field.

JJ and Kealia Watt will both play for Burnley in the 2024 edition of The Soccer Tournament (TST), a 7v7 event with a $1 million winner-take-all prize.

Burnley will enter a team in both the men’s and women’s division of the tournament, with the NFL legend and the ex-NWSL star set to captain their respective sides.

“It’s really exciting for both Kealia and I to headline Burnley FC’s men’s and women’s teams at TST,” JJ Watt said in a statement. “We’ve called some friends and are planning on bringing the best teams we can to compete. We are both highly competitive individuals, so we’ll be giving it our all in claret and blue!”

The couple announced last May that they had become investors in Burnley.

Kealia Watt added: “We’re delighted to announce our involvement in TST. Having the opportunity to represent Burnley on the pitch and compete against clubs from around the globe will be incredibly special.

“I’m also looking forward to making history with the inaugural women’s Tournament. This is an important addition and I’m pleased to see TST’s commitment to an equal prize for the winning men’s and women’s teams. I’m looking forward to playing in the Burnley shirt and reuniting with some of my former teammates.”

This year’s TST will feature an eight-team women’s tournament and a 48-team men’s tournament, with the winner of each competition taking home $1 million.

Other notable figures confirmed to be involved in this year’s tournament include Sergio Agüero, Nani, Mario Balotelli, Ali Krieger, Heather O’Reilly and more.

TST will be held at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, NC from June 5-10, with ESPN broadcasting select matches.

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Richards out 2-3 weeks with injury, Crystal Palace boss Glasner confirms

The USMNT defender had played 16 straight league matches before his injury

Chris Richards is set to miss between two and three weeks with an undisclosed injury, Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has confirmed.

Richards suffered the injury in Palace’s 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest last weekend, then missed his side’s midweek defeat to Bournemouth.

With the Eagles set to face Manchester City on Saturday and Liverpool next weekend, Glasner said at a press conference that the U.S. men’s national team defender would be out for both matches.

“We will look from day to day — one day it looks better and then the next day not so,” Glasner said.

“But I think he will miss at least the Liverpool game and then we will see. He will be out for two or three weeks.”

Prior to the Bournemouth game, Richards had gone the distance in 16 consecutive Premier League matches. After starting the season on the bench, the 24-year-old has become an ever-present for Palace — first playing as a defensive midfielder before shifting to his natural defensive position.

Richards also played the full match in both of the USMNT’s Nations League encounters last month, as Gregg Berhalter’s team beat Jamaica and Mexico to retain the title for the third straight tournament.

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Pulisic’s father: It’s a misconception he disappointed at Chelsea

Mark Pulisic said that his son simply wasn’t given a consistent chance with the Blues

Christian Pulisic’s father has defended his son’s time at Chelsea, saying that it’s a “misconception” he disappointed with the Premier League giants.

Pulisic struggled to find consistent playing time during his spell in London, setting a career low in minutes last season before moving to AC Milan in the summer.

But the U.S. national team star also experienced his share of highs during his four years with Chelsea, as he scored 26 total goals and helped the Blues win the 2020-21 Champions League.

According to Mark Pulisic, his son didn’t disappoint at Chelsea as much as he simply wasn’t given a consistent chance to impress.

“For me it’s not true that Christian disappointed at Chelsea. He simply didn’t play regularly,” Mark said on his podcast, as recorded by Gazzetta dello Sport.

“For me he is now reaching his peak, he is 25 years old, he works hard to develop his game and is respected by his teammates.”

Pulisic has thrived in his first season in Milan, receiving the consistent minutes he never could while at Chelsea. The USMNT star has already set a career high in goals with 12 while starting almost every week.

Pulisic’s father credited Milan coach Stefano Pioli for giving his son the latitude to make mistakes, as well as some former Chelsea teammates for helping him adjust to the Rossoneri.

“Christian has had everyone’s trust,” he said. “Pioli trusts him, he always lets him play and doesn’t immediately replace him if things go wrong. Then he likes Milan and he always speaks well of his teammates. Fikayo Tomori and Olivier Giroud helped him a lot when it came to choosing Milan.”

Though Pulisic is thriving in Milan, his father stopped short of saying that he could stay for the rest of his career. The forward’s time at Chelsea taught him that nothing in the game is permanent.

“Football changes quickly and we have understood for some time that this is a business. You can only think in the short term,” Mark said.

Still, Pulisic’s father insisted his son has no desire to go anywhere else in the near future.

“Let’s be clear: Christian loves Milan and wants to stay. He lives in Busto Arsizio to be close to Milanello (Milan’s training center). He’s learning to speak Italian and he gets on very well with teammates like Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Yunus Musah.”

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Tyler Adams shines in first full 90-minute appearance in over a year

Adams came through unscathed, and was one of the best players on the pitch as the Cherries claimed a win

Sometimes in life, it’s the simple things that are truly worth savoring.

Take for example Tyler Adams, who played a full 90 minutes for Bournemouth in a 2-1 win over Everton on Saturday.

The U.S. men’s national team midfielder getting through one entire game of soccer without issue — or even playing well, as Adams did — is normally not a story.

However, for Adams it was the latest step in an encouraging return from an injury nightmare. The 25-year-old had not come through a 90-minute stint in over a year, with his last such full shift coming all the way back on March 11, 2023 with Leeds.

Adams suffered a hamstring injury in training the following week, eventually undergoing surgery on the problem. Adams would change clubs in the summer, moving from Leeds to Bournemouth, but a September debut off the bench for the Cherries effectively set him back to square one after a recurrence of the same issue.

The USMNT star made his second return on March 13, coming off the bench in a 4-3 Bournemouth win over Luton Town, and Gregg Berhalter took the gamble of calling Adams up for the Concacaf Nations League finals.

While Berhalter drew criticism for that choice from Adams’ former coach Jesse Marsch, it’s safe to say things worked out. The headline item is a spectacular goal against Mexico, but the USMNT stint also served to accelerate Adams’ return to full match fitness in a way that training with Bournemouth wouldn’t have allowed.

That set the stage for a classic Adams showing at the Vitality Stadium, in which the New York native was all over the pitch.

Data from Sofascore bolsters the case that Adams wasn’t just back on the field, but truly looked like his old self. He won seven of eight ground duels on the day, and his four interceptions led all players from both teams.

Adams also posted four successful tackles (joint-best, alongside Everton’s Ben Godfrey), and attempted more passes (46) than any other Bournemouth player.

In other words, Adams isn’t just back. He’s back.

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